Cooking Up a Storm With Tahiti

Eight keen cooks from the travel trade and a couple of observers took part in a Tahitian Masterchef challenge on Friday – the first of three events being held this month in support of the Certified Tahiti
Specialist program.

Tahiti Tourisme’s trade manager – New Zealand, Moana McKeen, says the
programme has had a good response and there is still time for agents to join up and be in the draw to win two tickets to Tahiti with Air Tahiti Nui when travel is possible.

The cook-off, held at Auckland’s Social Cooking under the watchful eye of chef Zorawar (Zee) Singh, saw contestants coming up with dishes that included panko-crumbed chicken on mash with seasonal vegetables; poisson cru with roast cauliflower with halloumi, and pork stir fry with chorizo, garlic and ginger; and coconut prawns with pineapple and
chilli salsa.

This week, different agents will take part in a stand up paddle boarding activity at Takapuna Beach and the next week will see a Wine and Paint experience.

‘It is about catching up with the trade and thanking them for sticking with us and with their clients in such a diabolical year,’ says McKeen.

Chef Zee (who at the end of proceedings announced the prawns as the winning dish) says that though Social Cooking had been knocked during the Covid crisis it was now coming back as a popular option for groups. ‘People are lookng for fun and are interested in cooking more than ever.
Hen’s dos are also coming back.’

(Source; TRAVELink Memo, 10 November, 2020 – issue 2147)